What's going on at HolyOak Whips?

If you are thinking of learning how to build whips I highly recommend How to make whipsby Ron Edwards.

I love this book so much because it details how to do everything from cut leather, making your own dressing, plaiting from 16 down to 4 as well as shows how to make pretty patterns. I have highlighted and taken so many notes in the margins of this book that I need to buy another one to keep in good shape.

The illustrations in this book are great and done by the author. I feel they give you a special insight into the thought process of Ron Edwards and a small glimpse through his eyes. I love when he captions who the subject of the art work is.

It is pretty clear from the beginning of this book that his first love is the Australian stock whip. Most of the information in this book is to help you build a stock whip. There is a short chapter on bullwhips and one on snake whips. (Very short)

Ron isn't going to tell you how to make a paracord whip and he says flat out that he has no use for them.

With that said, there is so much information that is usable for both bullwhips and paracord whips. You just have to think about it in a different context.

If you are serious about learning to plait and want to get this book please be advised that he has 3 books out. This one has the info in the other two complied inside and the extra bonus that it is a big hard bound book that should last and last.

That's the book of books when it comes to making whips. Regarding nylon, I actually found Mr. Edwards to have a very accepting spirit about them when I emailed and spoke with him on the phone back circa 2002. He was very encouraging and actually published a few pics of my whips in the APWA journal. He had a much better attitude about nylon than most in those days. Of course, this book was written before that and in those days, lots of people trash-talked nylon. You would have never dreamed you'd see so many leather plaiters selling them and making them now. Great website too, btw.

"One small crack does not mean that you are broken, It means you were put to the test and didn't fall apart."

This website itself and ALL content, including Photographs are copyrighted.All of the images on this website are copyrighted by Bobbi HolyOak, Jos Motterstead, Daniel Trout and Jennifer Trout and are protected by international copyright law. You may not use or reproduce them in any way without my written permission.

Whips are a lot of fun but they are not toys. Make sure to always wear safety gear and practice well away from other people and animals. Never hit anyone with your whip. Bobbi HolyOak and HolyOak whips are not responsible for any injury to person or property incurred by the use/miss use of our whips. Have fun, be smart, be safe and keep on cracking!